Download Finding Ohana

[Sabina Kehler]

YoungHawaiians struggle to forge authentic identities in New York City: Pili learns Spanish because of New Yorkers' assumptions about her being Puerto Rican, and Ioane goes by "E" to make his Hawaiian name easier for others to understand. But Pili and Ioane learn to embrace their whole selves. Still, their frequent sibling squabbles (yelling, pushing) may encourage copycat behavior from younger viewers. Hana doesn't put up with macho behavior from boys, though she does eventually fall for one. The spirit of a dead father protects his living wife and kids. Characters like grandfather Kimo and Casper show compassion.

Two teens and two tweens go on a treasure hunt and face a series of dangers: deadly spider bites, lava pits, steep cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, collapsing floors, falling rocks, lethal spirits known as nightmarchers. Occasional jump scares. An infected spider bite looks red, rashy, has a huge blister. One teen nearly drowns, requires CPR. Pili and her friends race through traffic and buildings on bikes in a geocaching adventure. Characters gag and vomit (off-screen) from seeing skeletons and experiencing carsickness. Grandpa has a heart attack, falls, and breaks a rib; several scenes of his recovery at hospital. Historical re-creations show pirates dueling with swords and knives, played for humor; skeletons discovered in their place suggest they all perished. A family learns to live with a husband/dad who's passed away; siblings frequently fight (yelling, name-calling, pushing).

A teen clumsily hits on another teen using over-the-top machismo (e.g., saying a man should take the lead but then getting scared and letting her go first). He's initially shot down but eventually earns her trust, and they kiss. A character mentions someone promising to "make out" with him.

Spam, Meghan Trainor, and Keanu Reeves feature prominently. Also references to/glimpses of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones, Lost, Juilliard, Adidas, Black Eyed Peas, CrossFit, the U.S. Army, and Instagram.

Parents need to know that Finding 'Ohana celebrates Hawaiian language and culture in an adventure tale about two siblings discovering their family heritage and forging their own identities. The pair embark on a treasure hunt that sends them and two friends into perilous situations involving venomous spider bites, boiling lava pits, steep cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, collapsing floors, falling rocks, and frightening spirits known as nightmarchers. A teen gets an infected spider bite (close-ups on red rash and huge blister) and nearly drowns, needing CPR. Tweens race through city traffic and buildings on bikes in a geocaching race. A grandfather has a heart attack, falls, and breaks a rib in front of his granddaughter; there are hospital-set scenes of his recovery, with no lasting damage. Historical re-creations show pirates dueling with swords and knives, played for humor; skeletons and spiders are used for jump scares. Siblings quarrel. A teen flirtation ends with a single kiss. Language includes name-calling and potty humor (lots of "butt"-related terms, "stupid," "balls," "nips" for nipples, "bunghole," "turd," etc.) and other terms like "crap," "suck," "ass," "God" (as exclamation), and "hell." Characters show compassion in various ways, embodying the positive messages of aloha and 'ohana (family). The cast is inclusive, with Pacific Islander and multiracial talent on-screen and women and girls in strong roles. The filmmakers are Asian American women, but it should be noted that neither is Pacific Islander or has any direct ties to Hawaii. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

In FINDING 'OHANA, 12-year-old Pili (Kea Peahu) is forced to give up a hard-earned prize of geocaching summer camp when her grandfather, Kimo (Branscombe Richmond), suffers a heart attack and her mom (Kelly Hu) decides that they'll travel to visit him in Hawaii. There, Pili discovers an old diary that describes a hidden pirate treasure somewhere on the island. When it's revealed that Grandpa Kimo is in serious debt, Pili convinces her new young friend, Casper (Owen Vaccaro), to set off to find the treasure. Pili's brother, Ioane (Alex Aiono), and local teen Hana (Lindsay Watson) follow close on their tail, and the four soon find themselves in a mysterious, skeleton-filled cave searching for gold. Along the way, the siblings also discover their devotion to each other and their deep connection to their Hawaiian heritage.

This rollicking adventure has lots of appeal. What kid hasn't dreamed of going on a treasure hunt? Finding 'Ohana takes that premise and layers it into a good-natured tale of cultural identity, family ties, and swashbuckling adventure. The action is spearheaded by four young actors who look like they're having a ball playing the outspoken Pili, big brother Ioane, sensitive Casper, and kind Hana. Scenes where the kids substitute the voices for adult pirates acting out an imagined history are clever and silly.

Repeated references in the script to Indiana Jones are no mistake: The action is clearly inspired by the landmark franchise. In fact, a supporting character in 'Ohana is played by Ke Huy Quan, who co-starred as a child in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Hawaii is resplendent in its lush green vegetation, sharp peaks, and turquoise waters. Its natural beauty is on display as much as certain cultural aspects and its language, which characters frequently speak to one another. Sure, there are moments that feel a bit preachy and others that are totally implausible, and some families could be turned off by the sibling spats and the insults hurled between Pili and Ioane. But overall, this is a fun and sweet family movie with positive messages.

This Web site was supported, in part, by grant number 90LLRC0001-04-00, from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

Children will love the treasure hunting, the pirates, and the visually spectacular scenery. Teenagers will find a painfully adorable romance plot and sibling rivalry to laugh along with, and parents are not left out because, somehow, amid the mayhem is some surprisingly nuanced drama from the older characters.

The premise is classic. A family moves back to Hawaii after the grandfather becomes ill, they need money to pay the bills, so the children decide to go treasure hunting after they find an old journal.

Pili (Kea Peahu) is an avid geocacher, so she leads the charge. The flashbacks to privateers hiding the gold are campy fun, especially since we hear her voice whenever anyone talks. I was practically crying, I was laughing so hard during those scenes. She drags along her new friend Casper (Owen Vaccaro), who cheerfully faces spiders, lava, and constant peril.

Ioane (Alex Aiono) is the too-cool-for-school older brother, who is more worried about scuffing his shoes than finding caches of gold. They are lucky to have Hana (Lindsay Watson) along to help, especially since she understands the spiritual side of the island and its mythology. This film shows how we can have a beautiful connection to the land that goes beyond simply living in a place.

But in his case it's not because random internet trolls refuse to empathize with him. It's his mother. Poignantly played by the normally comedic Jillian Bell, her persistent nonacceptance, fueled by her desire for a feminine daughter, blows up in her face after an explosive argument goes too far, leading Joe's troubled father (brilliantly performed by a vulnerable Steve Zahn) to impulsively take his hurting son as far away as possible. That decision sets up a complex series of actions and reactions which carry the film along to some unpredictable emotional collisions.

Contrary to what one of the fake reviewers referred to as "evil and horrific," "Cowboys" is a quiet, beautiful, character-driven film that focuses on the internal journeys of two separated parents, as Joe (played by actual trans boy Sasha Knight) simply yearns to feel free. Matters become complicated when Joe is reported as kidnapped, which results in the father-son duo deciding to travel to Canada on horseback and start a new life.

This film is powerful and respectful, and masterfully allows you to see what each major character is internally going through. Personally, I was quite moved, and have not been able to stop thinking about it. As for the haters, I leave you with this powerful quote delivered by Joe's father, "You are not God, okay? And Joe is not some lump of clay that you just pound into something. Joe is Joe. We either accept that, or you f--k him up."

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